The Curious Arts Festival - Hampshire

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I was lucky enough to win some festival tickets (I know!! massive thanks to Camp Fire Magazine) and so last weekend I went to the Curious Arts Festival in Hampshire.

It was all my favourite things in one, as I'm a self confessed 'Author Groupie' a literary festival is right up my street. My daughter simply adores comedy and loves stand up. We both love camping and I love gin! All of these things and more were catered for.
Patrick Gale interviews Damian Barr
A dog is tickled
The festival allows dogs which made for a delightfully friendly and tail-waggy time, we made friends with one cute little fellow based on our mutual love of fried haloumi.
A dog sits for more haloumi
The sun shone, the decorated trees, scattered deckchairs and classy furniture in the grounds of the beautiful Pylewell Park just finished the delightfully upper class feel. I managed a little poetry writing, DD and her friend took a stroll to the lake, there may have been snoozing in the sun and icecream (there was)

Book tree (one day tree, you too could be a book)

I was thrilled to finally meet an author I've chatted to for year online, Philip Ardagh (failed miserably to take a picture of of his fabulous beard too!) I also bought several books by Patrick Gale, an author that had been recommended to me some time ago. After attending an interview with him, and chatting to him at the book signing I'm really looking forward to reading 'A Place Called Winter', but first I'm reading a collection of his short stories, 'Gentleman's Relish' many of which have a distinct 'Tales of the Unexpected' feel about them.
Gentleman's Relish
My daughter was delighted with the comedy, from Lucy Porter, Simon Evans (very funny with his dry sarcastic humour), Richard Herring (who actually nearly caused me to do myself an injury through laughing at his romantic Ferrero Rocher tale of woe), Mark Watson (who DD is a huge fan of) to the new discovery, and very funny Noise Next Door.(thanks for inviting me onto the stage and singing saucy songs to me, it was a blast)

Mark Watson
One tiny criticism is that they need more food stalls! A local bakers and a local sweet shop maybe? Or even the local WI could run a tea and cake tent!  But I have no complaints and the free showers (which I didn't use obviously), water points, and clean toilets made staying fresh and hygienic easy!
some gin being photobombed by a sausage dog

Plenty of gin was drunk (by me - DD is only 15 after all) and music was danced to. It was a glorious festival, in glorious surroundings, and we were blessed with sunshine. Totally relaxing, I cannot wait until next year.
DD and me on a glamourous sofa, looking glamourous


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